Xel-Ha Eco Park

Xel-ha (which is pronounced as shel-ha) is a popular excursion
attraction and one of my personal favourites. It is a fantastic place to
explore and unwind on your Riviera Maya holidays.

This spectacular Ecological Park features breathtaking scenery and a stunning natural
aquarium.

There are over 20 activities to enjoy here, ranging from
snorkeling, diving, swimming, kayaking and cycling.

There are two
mysterious cenote caves to explore and if you're feeling really adventurous then
you can take the leap off the legendary 'Cliff of Courage'.

The
Mayan translation for Xel-Ha is; "where the water is born." The name
seems quite apt, especially when you glance out at the panoramic views
of the picturesque lagoon. It is an enchanting experience to
discover the colourful marine life at the park. If you spend time
snorkeling in the lagoon, you can identify beautiful combinations of
tropical fish.

Snorkeling is a great way to spend time at the ecological park. Many people spend their entire day just swimming around the surface studying life beneath the water.

It doesn't really matter whether you are young or old, this experience can be enjoyed by everyone.

As you make your way around the jungle paths and mangroves you can also encounter a wide variety of Mexican animals in the lush, green surroundings of their natural habitats.

Some visitors to the site head straight for their favourite attractions, whilst other people just venture around discovering new and exciting areas of the park to enjoy. For example, it is a great experience to stumble upon the mysterious Mayan Cave or delve into the depths of the cenote caverns for the first time. Or at certain times of the year, if you venture out to the cove area, you can witness Green Sea Turtles starting their annual migration process.

You could of course, also just spend a relaxing afternoon on the hammocks and watch everybody else rushing around to embrace the park activities.

The Xel-Ha Eco Park has an all inclusive option.

I generally like
this idea because you haven't got to worry about taking your wallet, purse or handbag with
you, as you make your way around the park.

For the all-inclusive price you get as much food as
you can eat for breakfast or lunch and a selection of delicious drinks of your choice from the bar.

There is a breakfast buffet between
9:30-11:30am, lunch usually starts from 12pm. The food varies from
traditional Mexican food to a range of popular international
combinations. It is a good idea to plan ahead and arrive early at the
buffet or just after change over times in order to get the best choice of
freshly prepared food.

Our Experience at Xel-Ha

Every time we have visited the park, the trip has been equally enjoyable
and fun. I will never forget the experience of my wife laughing
hysterically as I struggled to get to grips with snorkeling for the
first time.

Being a fairly adequate swimmer I felt there would be no need to
equip myself with a life jacket.

Take my advice and avoid the
embarrassment (no matter how good you think you are) grab that life
jacket before even thinking about jumping into the water.

If snorkeling seems like to much hard work though, then you may enjoy a relaxing experience floating on the lazy river.

After
reaching the end of the route, I could not wait to go back and do it
all over again. The lazy river is also a great way to top up your tan as
you take in the surroundings of the beautiful Mayan Riviera landscape.

You
can also go for a bike ride, go hiking or swim into the cenote caves.
If you're feeling really adventurous then cliff jumping is also on
offer.

After taking part in all of those activities you will
probably start to feel a little hungry. There are plenty of restaurants where you can relax and have lunch or bars if you just fancy a drink.

Ecological Park Travel Tips

One thing to note when visiting the park is that you have to wear biodegradable sun lotion when snorkeling and diving.

You should use the biodegradable sun lotion rather than the usual
type in order to protect the variety of marine life and maintain the local eco-system.

There are a range of facilities at the park, you can use the changing rooms when you arrive and lockers are also available.

Snorkeling
and diving equipment can be hired or borrowed with a deposit. It is a
good idea to wear wet shoes or sandals when you travel around the park.

There
are many activities at the park to keep everyone entertained for the
day. However there are also additional Mexico attractions for you to
enjoy that are not included as part of the normal admission price.